KU fraternity punished for abusing turkey

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A University of Kansas fraternity has agreed to pay a $5,000 fine and complete 1,000 extra hours of community service to settle an animal abuse case.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson said in a statement that evidence obtained through an exhaustive investigation suggests that a turkey was mistreated in December 2012 at a Beta Theta Pi fraternity house party.

The turkey had been rented for the party. Witnesses said some fraternity members broke the bird’s cage, chased and choked it and broke its wing and a leg.

Police say they were told a fraternity member killed the bird to end its suffering.

Branson said witnesses provided so many conflicting accounts that it was difficult to determine who was responsible for the improper treatment of the bird.